Almost every major city has at least one stand-out attraction you associate it with almost immediately, a huge draw that makes you go, yeah, I need to check that off my bucket list. Chicago has the Bean. NYC has the Statue of Liberty. San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. LA has Hollywood. But Houston, we seem to have a problem.

When people think of Houston, their mind might go to NASA, sports, or hurricanes. And that’s largely all they know about Texas’s largest city. For whatever reason, it’s a city you don’t hear much about outside of the Lone Star State, which is strange because they’re actually the culinary and cultural capital of Texas (yup, it’s not Austin) and the fourth largest city in the country (I know, right?).

They’re also the only city in the U.S. without an ethnic
majority, which means it’s super diverse both in terms of population and
cuisine and you can find just about anything you’re craving or seeking there. Nearly
90 languages are spoken on a daily basis with nearly a quarter of residents
born outside the U.S. If you like international melting pots, Houston is
actually really cool – here’s why it’s high time to give it another look.

Let’s Taco Bout That
Food

OMG that food. When you think Texas, you probably think Tex-Mex and good barbecue. Of course, there’s that in Texas-sized portions, but there’s also so much more. Let’s start with the staples. Head down the Esplanade on Navigation Blvd. and you’ll be greeted with sights and smells to transport you South of the Border. Called El Corazon de la Communidad (the heart of the community), the area is home to a collection of Mexican restaurants, each better than the next. Ninfa’s is one of the OG spots (open since 1973) and a great place to try staples like tamales, enchiladas, fajitas, and empanadas.

BBQ Wars

If you’re craving the meat sweats, there are plenty of
barbecue joints to hit the spot. Anthony Bourdain’s go to is Burns BBQ, while Killen’s literally always has a line out the door with people
jonesing for their smoked brisket, house-made sausages, and rib slabs. There’s
also Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue,
a combined chocolatier and beef shop making all your food dreams come true.

Asian Persuasion

With one of the largest Asian populations outside the
continent, a tasty bowl of pho, sushi, or hot pot is never far away. “Asiatown,” their version of Chinatown,
has influences from Vietnam, India, Korea, Malaysia, and more with dazzling
neon signs in dozens of languages fighting for your attention. Hundreds of dumpling
shops, noodle houses, and dim sum spots are all within a few miles which is simultaneously
overwhelming and amazing and has me salivating just writing about it. Be sure
to try “Vietjun,” a fusion of Vietnamese
and Cajun traditions like crawfish with Asian spices that’s local to the region.
While you’re in the area, get a cheap massage, hit up Super H Mart, an
authentic ethnic grocery store, rent a private room at the karaoke parlor, and
visit Harwin Drive for cheap tchotchkes and trinkets – it’s definitely cheaper
than booking a flight.

Photo Credit: Visit HoustonPhoto Credit: Visit Houston

Instagram Heaven

Murals, dessert monstrosities, and elaborate backdrops. Yup,
Houston will satisfy the Instagram crowd. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is an epic Hindu temple and serious
#architecturegoals, while Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is the best
spot to pose with bae. To color up your feed, head to the Sugar & Cloth Color
Wall and Rainbow Staircase on Green Street or the Biscuit Paint Wall. The
Houston Graffiti Building is where much of the street art is, while catchy
quotes like “Hey, Y’all” and “Made in Texas” are can be found all around the Shops
at Houston Center. If you want to beat the heat or are feeling super extra,
there’s also a Texas-shaped pool in the Marriott Marquis Houston, which
shot from above is pretty drone-worthy. Get a day pass and lounge at the lazy
river.

For the foodies, Houston’s
Unicorn Dessert Bar is Instagram gold, while Amorino has the authentic
rose shaped gelato from Italy. Aqua S boasts Japanese bubble tea wrapped
in cotton candy cones, while Mico’s has giant Choco Taco ice cream
creations. The prize for cutest interior goes to Present Company HTX
with its lush garden walls, neon signage, and birdcages and the cutest exterior
goes to Bebida’s.

Photo Credit: Visit Houston

Museum Mayhem

Houston’s Museum
District is also nothing to scoff at. The fourth largest in the country, 18
cultural institutions are just a few blocks from each other. There are your
classic art and history museums, but what I find more interesting is unique
establishments like the American Cowboy Museum, Buffalo Soldiers, the only museum
in America dedicated to African American soldiers, and even a museum dedicated entirely
to funeral services (I didn’t say Texas wasn’t weird).

Photo Credit: Visit Houston

Green Reprieve

Houston also has a reputation for its urban sprawl, but they
actually rank first in the nation in terms of populous cities with acres of
parkland. They even have their own version of Central Park. Discovery Green in the heart of downtown
has everything from bocce ball to croquet, waterscapes and ice skating, and is 12-acres
of serenity. Hermann Park Conservancy
is another landscaped beauty with paddle boats, tiny trains, botanic gardens,
and an 18-hole golf course.

Photo Credit: Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

Beach, Please

With parts of Houston just 20-minutes from the Gulf of Mexico,
there’s never a beach far away. The Kemah
Boardwalk is essentially the Jersey Shore of Texas with amusement rides,
games, and fare food. A little further afield, Galveston, is an hour away and home to 32-miles of shore, classic Victorian
homes, Moody Gardens, watersports, and thrill rides.

Photo Credit: Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

Outdoor Spaces

If you’re more into nature, Armand Bayou is the largest urban wilderness preserve in the US and
a great place to explore wetland and marsh habitats. Take a pontoon boat ride
and get to know the local wildlife with 370 species in the area. The region is
a bird watcher’s paradise especially during migration season with Brazos Bend State Park and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge top
spots to see feathered friends.

Photo Credit: NASA

To Infinity and
Beyond

And for the star attraction, Space Center Houston is out of this world — literally. Full of interactive exhibits and artifacts brought back from space (not like the fake moon rocks your mom used to buy), channel your inner astronaut as you explore replica space shuttles, take a tram tour of Rocket Park, test out Mission Control, and try a virtual reality expedition to Mars. Who knows, maybe it’ll even inspire a career change.

https://i2.wp.com/thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/houston-thumb.jpg?fit=580%2C467&ssl=1467580Lohttps://thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/downlo_logo-no-tagline.pngLo2019-04-24 21:56:542020-05-07 00:24:48You Probably Never Thought to Visit Houston – But Should

About Lo

About Lo

When my third grade teacher told me I should be a writer, I laughed because that was so basic. After all, my best friend was aspiring to be a princess. Lo and behold, 20 years later, here I am, biting my tongue.

A Chicago native, a Denverite by choice, and now an accidental Texan, I've made it my mission to see as much of the world as possible because life is short, but sweet for certain. Subscribe to follow the (mis)adventures.